News links: Afternoon final

Welcome to Texas on the Potomac’s “midday update.” Every weekday, we will bring you three sets of news links, starting with a morning summary of top Texas headlines, national stories and Texas political blog posts. We’ll update at midday update with some of the top political stories that are making waves. And we’ll give you an “afternoon final” giving you something to talk about at the dinner table. As always, feel free to e-mail us with link suggestions.

1. The Washington Post has a story about Rust Belt House Democrats, and their feeling of abandonment by Congressional leaders over the recently killed energy bill. Rust Belt Democrats were asked to cast hard votes on the legislation, all for naught, they say.

2. President Obama made his first public remarks about the WikiLeaks scandal rocking Washington this week. Obama’s comments are similar to what has already been said by his senior leadership. “While I’m concerned about the disclosure of sensitive information from the battlefield that could potentially jeopardize individuals or operations, the fact is these documents don’t reveal any issues that haven’t already informed our public debate on Afghanistan,” Obama said in the Rose Garden Tuesday. The New York Times>>>

3. Though rumors have surfaced that President George W. Bush’s brother Jeb Bush planned to run for president in 2012. But the former Florida governor quashed the rumors Tuesday, saying he is “not running.” Politico>>>

4. The Chronicle of Higher Education, a trade publication based out of Washington, made a slideshow about illegal immigrants struggling to afford college. Check it out below.

5. Business Week listed the best cities for college graduates. Houston topped the list. Business Week>>>